From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, May 08, 2008

Sent on behalf of the Devon Maritime Forum

The Devon Maritime Forum is hosting a conference to discuss the Marine Bill and its implications for the South West, at the Royal William Yard, Plymouth on the 15 May.

Around one hundred delegates from marine and coastal organisations will attend the conference including representatives from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Discussions will help shape the final detail of the Marine Bill, announced this spring and which will be introduced in 2009.

The Bill will be the single most important piece of legislation to help safeguard the marine environment, and the people who use it. Devon Maritime Forum believe that it will present the south west with unique opportunities for our coastal towns and economies.

The conference in Plymouth will explore and define these opportunities, and encourage all organisations involved with marine and coastal matters to work more closely together in order to overcome any challenges that might arise.

Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy is intending to attend the event, but in her absence will send a statement to the Forum in support of the southwest's maritime heritage and its importance to the region.

Linda Gilroy is a great supporter of the Marine Bill and a passionate advocate for a new Marine Management Organisation to have its head quarters based in the southwest, bringing with it new employment and economic opportunities.

Media are invited to attend the conference. Interviews with key delegates will be available during the lunchtime boat trip around Plymouth Sound. See Note to Editors for the Itinerary. Defra delegates will not be available for interview unless previously notified in order to obtain clearance from their press office.

The Devon Maritime Forum is an independent partnership comprising Devon County Council, Devon Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Environment Agency, National Trust, South West Water, and Plymouth University.

Chairman of the Forum, Professor Laurence Mee, said:

"The Marine Bill needs to deliver sustainable use of our coasts and seas, and contribute to the economic, environmental and social health of our coastal communities. Our conference aims to encourage discussion about the draft Bill in order to provide Defra with some of the feedback they need to write the final legislation. The day will be about celebrating our successes, exploring the opportunities that exist for the South West and motivating all sectors to integrate their thinking for the benefit of all users of the sea."

Delegates will be drawn from sectors such as local academic institutions, local businesses, county and local councillors, RDA officials, conservation agencies, Natural England, the Environment Agency and many others.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Forum Meeting Programme - Spring 2008

The Marine Bill - Feedback and Opportunities for Integration in Devon

15^th May 2008. Royal William Yard, Plymouth. 10.00 - 17.00

Itinerary

10.0 Registration/teas and coffees (NETWORKING)

(Q: What 2 key 'task and finish' groups would you like the Forum to establish?

Q: What sectors would you like to see represented on the Forum Committee?)

10.30 Call to Order

10.35 Welcome and house-keeping (Professor L. Mee - Marine Institute)

10.40 Devon Maritime Forum update presentation to Chair (Jim Masters)

11.00 Draft Marine Bill - Brief legislation overview followed by question and answer session (Defra team:

Karen Morgan - Head of Coastal Integration

Steve Collins - Coastal Integration and ICZM

Charlie Platt - MMO team

Caroline Whalley - Licensing

Emma Silverton - Licensing)

11.50 Presentations - Opportunities and the need for integration in Devon

1 The potential impacts of the Marine Bill on the economy of Devon and the benefits of working together (Claire Gibson - SWRDA)

2 Marine research and innovation - leading the way in Devon and new opportunities arising from the Marine Bill (Prof L. Mee)

3 Coastal monitoring project - the need for information when making decisions on the coast (Coastal Monitoring Team)

12.20 Boat trip + Lunch - Plymouth Sound (NETWORKING)

TECF - A view from the estuary (TECF Estuary Officer)

Information gathering for Devon Maritime Forum:

What is DMF doing well?

What do we need to do more of?

How can we make these events better?

What issues do you want us to address in the future?

13.45 Reconvene

13.50 Soapbox Sessions - best practice in Devon (Max 5 minutes each)

• Maritime clusters and European, UK and local Maritime Policy (John Hepburn - Maritime Plymouth)
• Marine Litter (Robin Hogg - Campaign for the Protection of Rural England)
• Inshore Fisheries - progress towards sustainability (Jim Portus - South West Fish Producers' Organisation)
• Fishermap and the National picture (Tom Hooper - Finding Sanctuary)
• The Exe Estuary Coastal Management Study (Halcrow)
• Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership - developing Marine Spatial Planning expertise (Marine Institute - Dr Gillian Glegg)
• Estuary Partnerships - raising the profile of marine issues (Taw Torridge Estuary Partnership - Rose Day)
• Coastal Planning - helping deliver Plymouth's growth agenda (Plymouth City Council)

14.40 Tea and Coffee (NETWORKIING)

15.00 Afternoon Workshops:

There will be 5 workshops focusing on different elements of the Marine Bill:

i. Establishing the Marine Management Organisation (Charlie Platt - Defra)

ii. Marine Spatial Planning and integration on the coast (Karen Morgan and Steve Collins - Defra)

iii. Nature Conservation - examining the legislation for establishing Marine Conservation Zones (Chris Davis - Natural England)

iv. Changing roles in fisheries management - from Devon Sea Fisheries to Inshore Fishery Conservation Authorities (Keith Bower - Devon Sea Fisheries Committee)

v. Licensing and enforcement - streamlining legislation (Caroline Whalley and Emma Silverton - Defra)

They will all consider questions for their chosen theme from the Bill, such as:

What are the opportunities we see?

How can we pull together to take advantage of these?

What challenges are there?

How can we overcome these?

What action can we take now?

What else do we need to know to help us take action?

Summary

16.15 Workshop Feedback + opening question findings (Workshop Chairs)

16.50 summing up by Chair and close

This press release has been provided by Jim Masters, Devon Maritime Forum Co-ordinator, on behalf of the Devon Maritime Forum. For further information, can be obtained directly from the Co-ordinator at the address and details below. Jim Masters Devon Maritime Forum Coordinator c/o Devon County Council, Lucombe House, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QW email: jim.masters@devon.gov.uk Tel: 01392 383231 Fax: 01392 382135